International Women's Day eve assault on pregnant UPFA candidate :

President shocked

Will not allow this culture to continue:

Chaminda Perera

While condemning the attack on a pregnant UPFA candidate vying for the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha by UNP activists, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed that this type of political culture cannot be allowed in the country under any circumstances.

He said the political situation has degenerated in the country, that even pregnant candidates are attacked by members of the Opposition.

President Rajapaksa stressed that women were always subjected to harassment at the hands of UNP goons when it came into power. He reminded how women had to face harassment when the UNP came into power in 1977.

President Rajapaksa was speaking at a special ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's Women's wing to mark International Women's Day at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.

The President received the Viharamahadevi Award presented by the SLFP Women's Wing in honour of his mother Dandina Samarasinghe Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa said mothers protected their children during the height of terrorism. They showed their patriotism by sending their children to the battlefield to protect the country from the scourge of terrorism, he said.

He emphasised that the women will have to play a major role in the country's development. The President added that the women should take the lead in implementing the Government's program to establish one million domestic economic units islandwide.

The President added that the members of SLFP Women's Organisation who endured a number of difficulties and hardships have come forward.

President Rajapaksa added that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is the one and only political party through which women made the debut appearance in the political arena. He noted that the indomitable courage and commitment of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike took the SLFP to a greater height.

President Rajapaksa added that women have played a pivotal role from the beginning of the country's cultural and religious history. He said the woman has been entrusted with moulding well- mannered children in the country. "The mother has the responsibility of moulding their children with moral values," he added.

President Rajapaksa said that the mothers should be prepared to make their offsprings more productive and useful citizens to the country.

He reminded the women's contribution for the Government's victories at the past election and how they came forward. Uttarakhand State Governor Margaret Alva was the Guest of Honour. SLFP Women's Wing Secretary Ashoka Lankathilake was also present.